Everyday pairs
The ones that come up first: borrow and lend, say and tell, do and make.
affect vs effect
Affect is the action of influencing something, while effect is the result that follows.
the verb for causing a change
The new tax laws will affect how much small businesses can spend.
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The loud music did not effect his ability to concentrate.
The loud music did not affect his ability to concentrate.
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The cold weather had a negative affect on the crops.
The cold weather had a negative effect on the crops.
Remember Affect = Action. Effect = End result.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Lack of sleep began to his performance during the morning meetings.
- 2.
We are still studying the long-term of the policy change.
borrow vs lend
Borrow is taking something from someone; lend is giving something to someone.
taking an item for temporary use
I need to borrow a pen from the receptionist to sign this form.
giving an item for temporary use
The bank agreed to lend the small business enough money for the expansion.
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I had to lend a ladder from my neighbor to fix the roof.
I had to borrow a ladder from my neighbor to fix the roof.
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Can you borrow me your car for the weekend?
Can you lend me your car for the weekend?
Remember Borrow is from; Lend is to.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Students may up to five books from the library at once.
- 2.
Could you me your umbrella until I get to my car?
bring vs take
Bring describes movement toward the speaker or the current point of reference, while take describes movement away from the speaker or toward a different location.
Movement toward the speaker's location.
Please bring your laptop to the meeting in my office tomorrow morning.
Movement away from the speaker's location.
Don't forget to take your umbrella when you leave the house today.
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I'm at the restaurant now, so please take the keys to me here.
I'm at the restaurant now, so please bring the keys to me here.
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When you go to the beach, remember to bring plenty of sunscreen.
When you go to the beach, remember to take plenty of sunscreen.
Remember Bring it here; take it there.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I am so glad you decided to some snacks to the party.
- 2.
The courier will the signed documents to the head office this afternoon.
come vs go
Come indicates movement toward the speaker or listener's current or future location, while go indicates movement away from them toward a different destination.
Movement away from the speaker or listener.
We should go to the cinema since the weather is so poor.
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I will go to your party if I finish work early.
I will come to your party if I finish work early.
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Wait for me, I am going to you right now.
Wait for me, I am coming to you right now.
Remember Come is toward me; go is away from me.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I will to your house for dinner at seven tonight.
- 2.
They decided to to Italy for their summer holiday this year.
do vs make
Do focuses on the action or process of performing a task, while make focuses on the result or the creation of something new.
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I need to make my laundry this afternoon.
I need to do my laundry this afternoon.
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She did a mistake on the final exam.
She made a mistake on the final exam.
Remember Do the work; make the product.
fun vs funny
Fun describes an enjoyable experience, while funny describes something that causes laughter or seems strange.
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The party was very funny and we stayed until midnight.
The party was very fun and we stayed until midnight.
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He told a fun joke that made everyone in the room laugh.
He told a funny joke that made everyone in the room laugh.
Remember Fun is for a good time; funny is for a good laugh.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Learning a new language should be a and rewarding process.
- 2.
There is a smell coming from the back of the refrigerator.
hear vs listen
Hear is the physical sense of sound hitting the ear; listen is the mental act of paying attention to that sound.
the involuntary perception of sound
I could hear the neighbors arguing through the thin apartment walls last night.
deliberate attention to a sound
Please listen carefully to these instructions before you begin the exam.
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Can you listen the birds singing in the garden?
Can you hear the birds singing in the garden?
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I heard to the podcast during my morning commute.
I listened to the podcast during my morning commute.
Remember Hear is passive; Listen is an action.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Did you that strange clicking noise coming from the engine just now?
- 2.
I like to to jazz music while I cook dinner in the evening.
know vs know how
Know covers facts and familiarity, while know how covers the ability to perform a task.
Possessing information or being familiar with something.
I know the capital of France is Paris because I studied geography.
Having the skill to do something.
He doesn't know how to swim, so he stays in the shallow end.
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She knows how the answer to the third question.
She knows the answer to the third question.
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I know to play the piano very well.
I know how to play the piano very well.
Remember Know = Information. Know how = Ability.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
She doesn't the new manager yet, but they meet tomorrow morning.
- 2.
Do you to fix a flat tire on a bicycle?
learn vs teach
Learn is the act of receiving knowledge, while teach is the act of giving it.
to gain knowledge or skill
Most students learn best when they can practice the new skills immediately.
to give knowledge or instruction
She plans to teach mathematics at the local high school next year.
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I want to teach how to speak French fluently.
I want to learn how to speak French fluently.
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Can you learn me how to use this software?
Can you teach me how to use this software?
Remember Students learn; teachers teach.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
It takes a long time to how to play the violin well.
- 2.
My father offered to me how to drive his manual car.
look vs see vs watch
Look is the intentional direction of the eyes, see is the automatic perception of an image, and watch is the sustained observation of something in motion.
Directing your eyes toward a target.
Please look at the whiteboard while I explain the new grammar rule.
Noticing something through your physical senses.
Did you see that bright flash of lightning during the storm last night?
Observing a moving or changing subject.
We sat on the park bench to watch the children playing soccer.
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I saw at the map but I couldn't find the street.
I looked at the map but I couldn't find the street.
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We stayed home to look a movie on Netflix.
We stayed home to watch a movie on Netflix.
Remember See is a reflex; look is a choice; watch is a movie.
Fill the gap with one of the three options.
- 1.
He had to closely to see the tiny serial number on the battery.
- 2.
I can the mountains from my bedroom window on clear days.
- 3.
I usually the evening news while I am cooking dinner.
say vs tell
Tell requires a personal indirect object, while say focuses on the information itself and cannot be followed directly by a person.
Focuses on the words being spoken.
She didn't say anything about the meeting during lunch today.
Focuses on giving information to someone.
Please tell me the truth about what happened at the party.
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Can you tell what happened during the interview?
Can you say what happened during the interview?
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He said me that the flight was cancelled.
He told me that the flight was cancelled.
Remember You say something, but you tell someone.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
What did the manager when you asked for a promotion?
- 2.
He forgot to his boss that he would be late.
speak vs talk
Speak focuses on the physical act of producing words or formal delivery, while talk focuses on the social exchange of a conversation.
Formal address or the physical ability.
The CEO will speak to the press about the recent merger tomorrow morning.
Informal exchange and conversational interaction.
We sat in the cafe and talked about our childhood for hours.
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The professor will talk to the assembly at the graduation ceremony.
The professor will speak to the assembly at the graduation ceremony.
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I need to speak with my friends about the party tonight.
I need to talk with my friends about the party tonight.
Remember Speak is a monologue; talk is a dialogue.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
She can four languages fluently including Japanese and French.
- 2.
I need to to my manager regarding the new project deadlines.
since vs for
Since marks the specific starting point of an action, while for measures the total duration of the period.
marks the beginning of a period
The company has occupied this office space since the summer of 2015.
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We have known each other for last Christmas.
We have known each other since last Christmas.
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I have been working here since three months.
I have been working here for three months.
Remember Since = Start. For = Full length.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I have not seen any improvement in his performance the last meeting.
- 2.
She has been waiting in the lobby over forty-five minutes.
wait vs expect
Wait is the physical act of staying in one place or letting time pass; expect is the mental belief that something will happen.
Staying in place until something happens.
We had to wait for two hours because the flight was delayed.
Believing that an event is likely.
The meteorologists expect heavy rain to start later this evening.
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I am expecting for the bus at the corner.
I am waiting for the bus at the corner.
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We are waiting a phone call from the manager tomorrow.
We are expecting a phone call from the manager tomorrow.
Remember Wait is for the clock; expect is for the mind.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I'll for you outside the station after the concert ends.
- 2.
I didn't to see you at the gym so early today.
win vs beat
Win takes the activity or prize as its direct object, whereas beat takes the opponent as its direct object.
to be victorious in a competition
Our local football team managed to win the championship last night.
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It was a very close match, but we finally beat.
It was a very close match, but we finally won.
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The blue team played well and won the red team.
The blue team played well and beat the red team.
Remember Win the game; beat the player.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
She worked incredibly hard to the first prize in the tournament.
- 2.
We need a better strategy if we want to our rivals.
lose vs miss
Lose is for things you no longer have or games you fail to win, while miss is for things you fail to hit, see, or attend.
To misplace something or fail to win.
I always lose my keys right before I need to leave the house.
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Did you miss your wallet at the restaurant yesterday?
Did you lose your wallet at the restaurant yesterday?
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I lost the bus this morning because I woke up late.
I missed the bus this morning because I woke up late.
Remember Lose a possession; miss a connection.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The team played well but they are likely to the championship final.
- 2.
She was disappointed to the opening keynote at the conference.
remember vs remind
Remember is the internal act of recalling information, while remind is the external act of making someone else recall it.
to recall information from your own mind
I cannot remember where I parked the car this morning.
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I need to remind your phone number before I leave.
I need to remember your phone number before I leave.
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Please remember me to buy some milk on the way home.
Please remind me to buy some milk on the way home.
Remember Remember is in your head; remind is from someone else.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
She to lock the door before she left the house.
- 2.
That song always him of his childhood in the city.
hope vs wish
Hope describes a desire for a possible or likely future, while wish describes a desire for an impossible situation or something contrary to current reality.
Desiring something that could actually happen.
I hope the weather stays clear for our outdoor wedding this Saturday.
Wanting a reality that doesn't exist.
I wish I could speak five languages fluently without any effort.
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I wish that you have a great time at the party tonight.
I hope that you have a great time at the party tonight.
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I hope I were taller so I could reach the top shelf.
I wish I were taller so I could reach the top shelf.
Remember Hope is for possibilities; wish is for fantasies.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The doctors the new treatment will lead to a full recovery.
- 2.
He he had taken that job offer in London last year.
meet vs know
Meet is the first encounter or arrival; know is the ongoing state of familiarity.
The first encounter or arrival.
I will meet you at the station when your train arrives at noon.
Ongoing familiarity with a person.
I have known my best friend since we were in primary school.
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I want to know your sister at the party tonight.
I want to meet your sister at the party tonight.
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I met him for ten years and he is a great guy.
I have known him for ten years and he is a great guy.
Remember Meet is the handshake; know is the friendship.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
It was a pleasure to finally the rest of the design team.
- 2.
Do you the new manager well enough to ask for a favor?
wear vs dress
Wear is the state of having clothes on your body; dress is the act of putting them on.
the act of putting clothes on
It takes him nearly twenty minutes to dress his young daughter for school.
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She is dressing a beautiful silk scarf today.
She is wearing a beautiful silk scarf today.
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I need to wear my children before we leave for the park.
I need to dress my children before we leave for the park.
Remember Wear is the status; dress is the process.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Most employees a formal suit to the annual board meeting.
- 2.
Please wait in the hallway while I for the dinner party.
use vs wear
Use applies to tools, systems, or objects operated for a purpose, while wear applies to clothing, jewelry, or items carried on the body.
Operating a tool or a system.
Most employees use a specialized software program to track their daily billable hours.
Carrying clothes or accessories on yourself.
The security guards must wear a dark blue uniform while they are on duty.
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The construction workers wear heavy machinery to dig the foundation.
The construction workers use heavy machinery to dig the foundation.
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I have to use a suit and tie for the interview tomorrow.
I have to wear a suit and tie for the interview tomorrow.
Remember You use a phone; you wear a watch.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I need to your laptop for a moment to check my email.
- 2.
She decided to her favorite silver necklace to the wedding reception.
find vs find out
Find is for locating physical objects; find out is for discovering information.
locating a physical object or person
I need to find my passport before we leave for the airport.
find out
discovering facts, news, or hidden information
We need to find out what time the train actually arrives.
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I need to find out my lost wallet.
I need to find my lost wallet.
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Call the hotel to find the check-in time.
Call the hotel to find out the check-in time.
Remember Find the keys; find out the truth.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Did you your phone under the sofa cushions this morning?
- 2.
She was shocked to that the shop had closed.
look for vs find
Look for is the active process of searching, while find is the successful result of that search.
look for
the active process of searching
I need to look for my keys before we can leave the house.
the moment of discovery or success
It took three hours, but I finally managed to find my lost passport.
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I spent all morning trying to find my glasses, but I still haven't seen them.
I spent all morning trying to look for my glasses, but I still haven't seen them.
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I hope I can look for a new job by the end of the month.
I hope I can find a new job by the end of the month.
Remember Look for is the hunt; find is the prize.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
She spent all afternoon in the library to a specific manuscript.
- 2.
Did you the information you needed in that old textbook?
look at vs look for
Look at directs the eyes toward something visible, while look for is the act of searching for something missing.
directing your eyes toward something
Please look at the whiteboard while I explain the new grammar rule.
look for
searching for a missing object
I need to look for my passport before we leave for the airport.
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Stop and look for that beautiful painting on the wall.
Stop and look at that beautiful painting on the wall.
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I spent an hour trying to look at my lost wallet.
I spent an hour trying to look for my lost wallet.
Remember Look at the view; look for your keys.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We stood on the balcony to the sunset over the city.
- 2.
They spent the entire afternoon in the woods to mushrooms.
look like vs be like
Look like describes physical appearance, while be like describes character, personality, or general nature.
look like
describing physical appearance and visual traits
He looks like his father, especially around the eyes and jawline.
be like
not English
describing personality, character, or inherent qualities
Remember Look like = Eyes. Be like = Soul.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Does the new office building the sketches we saw last month?